Developers turn out for BLM parcel info

Kris Hill

Friday, March 16, 2001 | 11:52 a.m.

North Las Vegas Thursday played host to 100 developers, who attended a meeting in a library conference room to obtain information about 27 parcels, which will be up for auction in May.

The minimum bid for the largest piece of land, being offered by the Bureau of Land Management, was set at $40 million.

Those who attended expressed concern regarding the potential for archaeological finds, but Cheryl Ruffridge of the BLM allayed those fears. Others inquired about soil and geological conditions.

Still others wondered whether the city or BLM would impose qualifying requirements for potential bidders.

Ruffridge said the BLM can't require anything more than that bidders be 18 years old and U.S. citizens.

City Economic Development Manager Mike Majewski said the city, however, would require potential bidders to prove they can afford to become involved in the project.

"We would have to see financial viability. ... The bidder would need in excess of $100 million (to cover the cost of infrastructure)," he said.

In addition, the city would like potential bidders to have experience in building planned communities, Majewski said.